Measles Update

2/10/2015The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a health advisory notice regarding incidents of measles across the country. In response, the American College Health Association asked colleges and universities to encourage campus community members that are not fully immunized to complete immunizations. Currently, there have been four measles outbreaks on college campuses.

According to the CDC website:Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness. It begins with a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza (runny nose), conjunctivitis (pink eye), lasting 2-4 days prior to rash onset. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Measles is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing; infected people are contagious from 4 days before their rash starts through 4 days afterwards. After an infected person leaves a location, the virus remains viable for up to 2 hours on surfaces and in the air.

If you believe you have been exposed to measles or have a rash resembling measles, call your doctor immediately. MACC encourages our students to review their immunization records and contact their doctor with questions about completing vaccinations.